SALT LAKE CITY — A grand jury has returned a federal indictment against a man accused of stabbing an employee at a West Valley City mall, charging him with willfully causing bodily injury because of the victim's actual or perceived religion.
Federal indictment follows July attack at Valley Fair Mall
Peter Larsen was indicted Wednesday on a hate-crime count related to the July 13 attack at the Valley Fair Mall, officials said. Prosecutors allege Larsen stabbed kiosk worker Syed Sohail Uddin multiple times and that the assault was motivated by the victim’s religion.
According to court documents cited by federal authorities, Larsen purchased the knife used in the attack while at the mall and asked other employees whether they were Muslim before targeting Uddin. The indictment charges Larsen with willfully causing bodily injury because of the victim’s actual or perceived religion, a violation handled by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division when allegations indicate a crime motivated by bias.
“We will not tolerate violence motivated by religious hatred,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Possible penalties and next steps in federal court
If convicted on the federal hate-crime charge, Larsen faces a maximum penalty of life in prison, federal prosecutors said. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on the indictment on Thursday.
The federal case supplements any state or local charges that may have been filed in connection with the July incident. Federal hate-crime prosecutions typically proceed after investigators determine the alleged offender’s motive and whether the case meets statutory standards for civil-rights charges.
Community impact and safety concerns
The stabbing at Valley Fair Mall, a busy retail center in West Valley City, rattled area residents and employees. Mall workers and members of the local Muslim community have expressed concern about targeted attacks and the need for increased protections at public gathering places.
Officials have not released additional details about Uddin’s injuries or his current condition beyond confirming he was stabbed multiple times. The Justice Department’s involvement reflects the federal government’s role in addressing crimes motivated by bias when local or state authorities refer such cases or when federal investigators conclude a civil-rights violation occurred.
- Incident date: July 13
- Location: Valley Fair Mall, West Valley City
- Defendant: Peter Larsen
- Alleged victim: Syed Sohail Uddin
- Charge: Willfully causing bodily injury because of actual or perceived religion (federal hate crime)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Arrest date | July 13 (arrest made moments after the alleged stabbing) |
| Indictment | Returned by grand jury (federal) |
| Maximum federal penalty | Life in prison |
Local law enforcement and federal prosecutors often coordinate in bias-motivated cases, combining resources to investigate motives, review surveillance and interview witnesses. The indictment marks the next formal step in the federal prosecution and will move the case into federal court proceedings.
Community leaders and civil-rights advocates frequently view federal involvement as an important signal that crimes motivated by religion, race, or other protected characteristics will be met with serious legal consequences. The assistant attorney general’s statement underlined that stance, reiterating the Justice Department’s position against religiously motivated violence.
As the federal case proceeds, West Valley City residents and mall patrons may follow court filings and hearings to track developments. The indictment does not resolve guilt or innocence; it formally charges Larsen and begins the federal process toward adjudication.
Further updates will depend on filings in federal court and statements from prosecutors or defense representatives during the litigation.
